Banding machine



April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK BANDING MACHINE Filed'Sept. 22, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. %%M

April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK BANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE NTO R. M7

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April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK BANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

W-ZJMC April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK BANDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 22, 1954 9:; INVENTOR.

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April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK BANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 m o A m. a v. m. w 7 M m E .8 F a w u w w\\ 6 M f (a um 2 4/ c fu m .I J

April 27, 1937. w. F. HUCK I BANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 irxllllill INVENTOR- April 27, 1937. w HUCK 2,078,633

BANDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. 22, 1954 w L .,,,,;,m 83/86 0 l IIIIIML April 27, 1937. wjF. HUCK BANDINGMACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVE NTOR April 27, 1937. W. F. HucK 4 2,078,633

BANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 A54 p 15.5 3-5- INVENTOR.

M 7 AQ/Q I49 I56 1; W #5 Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BANDING MACHINE Application September 22, 1934, Serial No. 745,021

27 Claims.

This invention relates to a banding machine and more particularly to a machine for use in wrapping and securing strips of banding material around a plurality of packs of cut products.

The said invention generally comprises a machine which is adapted to receive a plurality of packs of cut products in a side by side relation, which packs are adapted to be forwarded to banding mechanism where each pack will have a strip of banding material wrapped about it and secured. The arrangement is such that packs are delivered to this machine in quantities which outnumber the banding members two to one and when received, are arranged in a single transverse row in side by side relation. Said packs are received by gripper members which are adapted to advance them to suitable guide tracks. During this movement the grippers are moved into two transverse rows in a leading and following relation, while the packs are swung to positions,

which will bring the packs of one row into sub stantial longitudinal alignment with the packs of the other row. Two rows of packs, having thus been deposited on the tracks are next forwarded one row at a time to the banding mechanism by means of reciprocating pusher members.

The banding mechanism generally comprises means for presenting a cut strip of banding material in the path of an approaching pack, so that it may be engaged by said pack and inserted therewith in one of two pack receiving clips on a rotatable block member, to partially wrap the pack. An adhesive applying member is adapted to apply adhesive to a portion of the banding strip, after which the block is rotated to further wrap the band around same and bring the pack to an ejecting position. An ejector finger on the said pusher next engages said partially wrapped pack and forces the same through guide members which causes the pack to be finally wrapped and the ends of the band sealed. The pusher fingers are arranged to move one pack into a clip while another pack is moved out of a clip.

On object of the invention is to provide means to receive packs of cut products for delivery to banding members in which the said receiving means outnumber the banding members two to one.

Another object is to provide a means of operation whereby said pack receiving means are adapted to receive packs of cut products in a single transverse row in side by side relation, which upon advancing toward the banding members will be separated into two transverse rows in a leading and following relation with the number of packs in each row equalling the number of banding members.

Another object is to provide means for independently actuating each pack receiving means at the time the packs are being separated into two rows, which means will adjust the position of each pack to bring the packs in one row into substantial longitudinal alignment with the packs in the other row.

Another object is to provide a reciprocating pusher means which is adapted to advance each of the two rows of packs to the banding mechanism intermittently while the pack receiving means receives, delivers and returns again to a receiving position.

Another object is to provide an intermittently rotatable member with pack receiving clips, which is adapted to cooperate with a banding strip feeding and cutting mechanism, to apply a bandi ing strip to each pack, and to further provide an adhesive applying means and guide means to complete the wrapping of a band around the pack and secure same.

It is also an object to provide a banding machine of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and efficient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine in general;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the machine with parts broken away and looking at the side opposite that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 2 but with the mechanism shown in a different position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan View, with parts broken away, of the pack receiving mechanism, showing the packs of cut products arranged in their grippers in a normal receiving position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan detail view, with parts broken away, showing the gripper shifting member;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing the position of the packs after they have been separated and transferred from the pack receiving position, of Figure 4, to the double row position, where they are ready to be advanced in a leading and. following relation to the banding mechanism;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional detail view through one of the gripper members taken on the line 88 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail view with parts broken away showing one of the pack advancing or pusher members in a position wherein it is about to advance one pack to a pack receiving block and discharge one pack from said block;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the pusher fingers as having advanced one pack to the pack receiving block and having discharged one therefrom; I

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view with parts in elevation, taken along the line HH of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view generally showing the banding mechanism, including adhesive applying means and band applying and wrapping means;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a wrapped pack as seen from the direction of the arrow in Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is a detail side elevational view of the rotatable block member with pack receiving clips thereon.

The machine generally comprises a base 20 upon which twoupwardly extending side walls 2l-2I are mounted. A main drive shaft 22 suitably mounted in bearings in the side walls 2 l-2I is continuously driven from any desirable source but preferably through a connection with the drive of the machine from which the product is received as indicated by the drive 23, in Figure 3. An intermittent drive shaft 24, also extending between the Walls 2!--2| and beyond the ends thereof, is mounted in suitable bearings in said walls and is driven by means of a Geneva motion obtained through a slotted disc 25, said disc having slots 26 therein, which are adapted to be engaged by rollers 21-27 mounted on the outer ends of diametrically opposed arms 28-28 projecting from a hub secured to the main drive shaft 22. Five slots 26 are provided in said disc 25, therefore, upon the engagement of a roller with one of said slots 26, the intermittent shaft 24 will be moved one fifth of a revolution and since the two diametrically opposed rollers 2?21 will pass through two of the slots in said disc upon each revolution of the main drive shaft 22, the intermittent drive shaft 24 will move twice or two fifths of a revolution.

Gripper mechanism is provided, as best shown in Figures 2, 4, 7 and 11, which includes a plurality of vertically disposed gripper members all of which are adapted to be rotated about their vertical axes and are alternately mounted within bearing blocks 29 provided on two independently movable cross beams, an outer beam 3! and an inner beam 3m.

As best shown in Figure 8, each gripper member comprises a vertically disposed shaft 32 rotatably mounted in bearings 33-33 secured within the bearing blocks 29. A rod 34 extends through a vertical clearance opening 35 in said shaft 32 and has a pad 36 at the upper end thereof and an adjustable collar 37 located at its lower end. By means of a spring 38, located in a counterbore 4! in the upper end of the shaft 32 and engaging a sleeve 4.2 fix d, W said rod, the said rod is normally pushed upward but its movement is restricted through the engagement of a stop arm 43 with the upper surface of the collar 37. Said stop arm is adjustably positioned on a transverse rock shaft 53 suitably supported in bearings 65 along the lower end of a cross beam. The rock shaft 44 is prevented from rotating about its axis by means of an arm 46 which is secured .at one end thereto, said arm having a roller 47 mounted on its free end which is maintained in engagement with a bar 48 as best shown in Figures 2 and 8. Said bar 48 is supported on two levers 43l9 each of which has a hub 5%) (Figures 2 and 3) pivotally mounted on studs 5E3, fixed within one of the side walls 2|, which bar is adapted to be moved downward or upward through the action of .a cam 52 on the drive shaft 22 and the engagement therewith of a cam roller 54 on an arm 53, extending from one of the hubs 56. Hence when the roller 54 is riding on the high surface of the cam 52, the rod 34 is held in a retracted position by the action of the stop arm 43 and when the roller 54 moves to the lower surface of the cam the stop arm 43 will rock upward and permit the rod 34 to be moved upward by the pressure of the spring 38. A gripper plate 55 is secured to a collar 56 at the upper end of the gripper shaft 32 (Figure 8), and

has a portion thereof extending directly over and in spaced relation to the pad 36, thus providing a mouth Within which a product or pack P may be received, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8. It will be observed that when each pack is conveyed to a gripper, the pad 36 thereof will be in its lowermost position, but after receiving the pack, the stop arm 43 will swing upward to permit the pad to be pressed against the lower surface of the pack by the action of the spring 38 and thus clamp same against the plate 55.

Assuming that the packs have been conveyed to the grippers, the relative position of saidpacls would be as shown in Figure 4, with each gripper preferably holding a pack near one corner thereof, and arranged so that alternate packs are engaged by the grippers on one beam 3 I, while the remaining alternate packs are engaged by the grippers,

on the other beam 31a. After receiving the packs as shown in Figure 4, the next operation is to separate the beams 3|-3la while the same are also moved forward, and further to rotate each gripper around the axes of their vertical shafts 32, to swing the packs carr ed by each gripper so that the packs may be arranged in two rows with their wider sides foremost as shown in Figure 7. To provide for this condition each cross beam 3l-3la is provided with end flanges 51--'5'l arranged on the upper and lower portions of the beams respectively, and two rollers 5858 are rotatably mounted on studs 59-59 secured within each of said flanges. See Figures 4 and 11. Two parallel horizontal trackways 6i-6l are provided in each of a pair of racks 62-452, secured to the inner sides of each of the side walls 2|2I, within which the rollers 58 are adapted to run. As best shown in Figures 4, 8 and 11, each vertical gripper shaft 32 has a lever 63 secured thereto which levers normally extend outward therefrom in an angularly disposed direction and have their outer ends pivotally joined, through pivot studs 64, to one of two bars 6565 arranged in parallel relation to each other and to the cross beams 3I3la.

Rollers 13, best shown in Figure 4, are rotatably mounted at the extended ends of each of said bars 65-65, and spring actuated means is provided for each bar to maintain the said rollers 13 in engagement with a movable stop bar 14, which stop bar controls the position of the levers 63 and the packs P when they are supported by the grippers. Each spring actuated means includes a rod 66 pivotally joined to a plate 61, extending from the bar 65, and is slidable endwise within a bearing 68 on a bracket 69, which bracket is secured to a cross beam 3I or 3Ia. A spring II is compressed between the bearing 68 and a collar 12 on said rod. While only one of said spring actuated means is described, it will be 1mderstood that there will be one for each of the bars 05.

The stop bar 14 is carried at one end of each of two bell cranks I and 16 shown in Figure 5. One bell crank is pivotally mounted on a stud 11 supported in a bearing bracket I8 on one side wall 2I as shown in Figures 5 and 11. The other bell crank 16 is fixed to a vertically disposed shaft I9, which shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 8| provided in a bracket 82 also secured to the side wall 2|. A bevel gear segment 83 is fixed to the lower end of said shaft I9 and meshes with another bevel gear segment 84 on a horizontally disposed shaft 85, which shaft is rotatable in suitable bearings 86 provided in said bracket 82, and in a sleeve 81 in the Wall 2I. Said shaft 85 has a reduced end portion 88 extending beyond the exterior of the wall 2| on which a cam actuated arm 89 is fixed, and said arm has a roller 9| rotatably mounted at its outer end which rides over the outer cam surface of a cam 92, located on the main drive shaft 22 as shown in Figure 1. Said cam 92 is provided with one high and one low actuating surface which will rock the arm 89 and shaft 85 and the cooperating vertical shaft I9 with its bell crank 16, once for each revolution of the main drive shaft 22. The rocking motion will thus actuate the bell cranks I5 and I6 to move the bar 14 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position of Figure '7. The rollers 13-13 on the spring impelled bars 85-65 will remain in engagement with the bar I4, whichwill thus cause the said bars 65-85 to move and partially rotate each gripper shaft 32 through the rocking movement of the levers 63 connected to the said gripper shaft 32 and bars 85-65. During the partial rotation of the gripper shafts, the packs are moved about the axes of the shafts 32 to bring the longer sides of each pack forward as shown in Figure 7.

At the same period during which the packs are being moved, the inner cross beam 3Ia will be moved away from the outer cross beam 3I to .provide sufficient space for the free turning movement of the packs, and said outer cross beam will move simultaneously therewith but at a slower speed in order to deposit the outer packs in a position out of the path of the next succeeding row of packs in the receiving position. The structure provided to move said cross beams is best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and includes a pair of rocker arms 93-93 fixed toa shaft 94, extending between the walls 2I-2I and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings within said walls. Two brackets 95-95 are secured to the inner cross beam 3Ia near the ends thereof and have upwardly extended ends 96-96 which are joined with outwardly extended ends 91-91 of the rocker arms 93-93 by means of links 98-98. The outer cross bar 3| also has two brackets 99-99 secured thereto, and said brackets have downwardly extended ends IOI-IOI which are joined to said rocker arms 93-93 at I02-I02 by means of links I03-I03 (Figures 3 and 7). It will be observed that the links I03-I03 are in a much lower position on the rocker arms 93-93 than the links 98-98. Therefore the arc through which the link connecting point 91 will move, will be greater than the arc through which the link connecting point I02 will move. Hence, while both cross beams will be moved inward simultane' ously when the roller arm is moved inward, the inner cross beam will move the greater distance and the space between the two cross beams will increase proportionally throughout the length of the inward stroke.

The means provided to rock the rocker arms 93, 93 includes an operating arm I04, fixed to an extended end of the shaft 94, and having an elongated slot I05 therein, which slot is engaged by a roller I06 carried by an arm I01, said arm being fixed to the main drive shaft 22. The arm I01 will rotate with the shaft 22 and will cause the operating arm I04 to be rocked from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3, then return to its original position. The cross beams 3I-3Ia are thus given a continuous reciprocating motion which, in cooperation with the aforesaid gripper operating mechanism will move the packs P from the receiving position in which they are shown in a single row in Figures 2 and 4, to a deposited position indicated by the double row in full lines of Figure 7. Track members I08, running in pairs longitudinally of the machine, are provided beneath the packs so that the said packs may be supported after they are released from their gripper members, and said tracks are suitably supported on cross bars arranged between the walls 2I-2I.

After the packs are deposited on their respective track members I03, and while the grippers are returning to receive the next group of packs, reciprocating pusher means is actuated which is adapted to engage each of said packs and advance both rows simultaneously along the track members, while the leading row is moved to a banding position. As shown in Figures 2, 7, 9 and 10, said reciprocating pusher means include two bars I09 having offset portions I I0 which are positioned directly beneath the tracks I08 and have three pusher fingers I00, II I, I I2 thereon, and one ejecting finger II3 on the offset portion, as clearly shown in Figure 10. Each bar I 09-Il0 is supported on angle cross members I20, (Figures 9 and 10),-each cross member, in its length, is provided with a series of upturned lugs I a which serve as the supports for the various bars I09-IIO. The lugs I20a in turn serve as the connection between the said supporting bars I20 and the link members IIB-IlSa. Said links II6-I Ioa are further secured to the arms H4 of the bell cranks II5, which are fixed to the shafts I I! and H8, said shafts being rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I-2I. Another link H9 is connected to the downwardly extending arms I2I-I2I of said bell cranks II5-II5.

A cam actuated arm I22 is fixed on an outwardly extending end of the shaft II! and has a cam roller I23 at the outer end thereof which rides over the cam surface of a cam I 24 on the main drive shaft 22. Said cam I24 is provided with a cam surface which is adapted to rock the bell crank shaft H5 in one direction and return twice during each rotation of the main drive shaft and thereby move the pusher bars downward at the end of a forward stroke of said bars, and upward at the end of the return stroke of the bars twice, while the gripper mechanism completes one cycle of movement.

The actuating means for moving the pusher bars forward and backward to advance the packs to a banding position, includes a cam arm I25, fixed to a shaft I26 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I--2I, said cam arm having a roller I21 at its outer end, which rides over the cam surface of a cam I28 on the main drive shaft 22. A number of levers I29 are provided on the shaft I26, each of which is connected with an arm I3I of the bell crank IIfia by means of links I32. As the cam I28 rotates, the lever I29 will be rocked twice through the action of the cam arm I25 and will .rock the bell crank II6a about its pivotal connection with arm II4 of the bell crank I I5, to thereby cause the pusher bars I69 to be reciprocated forward and backward. The bell cranks I I5II5 will thus function in two ways, one to provide substantial supporting pivots at the ends of the arms II4 -II4, about which the links H6 and bell cranks l I6a are permitted to swing and the other to move said pivotal points downward while the pusher bars I69 are in motion, to permit the pusher fingers to pass below the advanced packs on the return stroke of the said pusher bars, then move up into the path of the packs at the rear thereof on the forward stroke to further advance same.

As previously stated, the pusher bars will move through their cycle twice while the gripper mechanism moves through its cycle once, the reason being to advance each of the two rows of packs to a banding position before the gripper mechanism deposits two additional rows of packs on the tracks for the pusher bars to advance in the same manner.

Up to this point the description has related to the mechanism for removing the packs from a gripper receiving position'to the banding position. Now the banding mechanism and its operation will be described.

As best shown in Figure 12, a roll of banding material or tape I33 is provided for each of the rows of cards advanced by the pushers and is mounted in a support I34, which extends transversely across the upper portion of the machine and is secured at its ends to the side walls 2 I -2I. Each banding roll is further guided between guide plates I35 secured to said support I34 and rests upon an unwinding roller I36, the banding strip being drawn from the bottom of the roll and passing over the roller I36. Said banding strip is then guided between guide plates I31I31 in a vertically downward direction, directly into the path of an approaching pack. The unwinding rollers I36 are fixed to adriven shaft I38, which shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I--2I and has gears I39 at one end thereof. A number of pressure rollers |4I are rotatably mounted on arms I42 and said arms are adjustably mounted on a, shaft I 43 supported between the side walls 2I2I. Each pressure roller is positioned so as to engage its associated banding strip along the lower position of the unwinding roller I36 to apply a pressure thereto and to assure the continuous feed of said banding strip.

Rotary cutting members I44 are provided to shear the banding material into strips of the desired lengths, which cutting members are fixed to a driven shaft I45, said shaft being rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I-2I and having a gear I46 at one end thereof.- A knife plate I41 is secured to each cutter member, which plates are adapted to cooperate with other knife plates I48 mounted on the support I34.

A rotatable pack wrapping fixture is provided for each row of advancing packs as shown in Figures 12 and 14, each of which comprises a block I49 fixed on a shaft I 5i, rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I--2'I. Said shaft has a pinion I52 mounted on the outer end thereof as shown in Figure 2, which meshes with a gear I53 secured to and rotatable with the Geneva disc 25. On two diametrically opposite sides of said block, a flexible pack receiving clip is provided which comprises an outer strap I54, supported by a flexible arm I55 secured to the block I49. Another strap I56 secured to one side of the block I49,-'has one extended end bent back as shown at I51. Each of said clips are adapted to be moved with the block to a pack receiving and ejecting position as shown in Figure 12 for each cycle of the main drive shaft 22.

An adhesive applying means is also provided for each roll of banding material, as best shown in Figures 2 and 12, which is adapted to apply an adhesive to one end of the strip before the band is wrapped entirely around the pack. Each adhesive applying means includes an adhesive container or fountain I58 secured to a supporting bracket I59 positioned between the walls 2I2I. A fountain roller I6I provided for each fountain is secured to a driven shaft I62 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I--2I, which shaft has a gear !63 at one end thereof. Said fountain roller rotates within the container and has a film of adhesive on the surface thereof. A transfer roller I64 is provided for each fountain and is rotatably mounted on a slightly flexible arm I65, which arm is fixed to a rock shaft I66 mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 2I2I. Said transfer roller I64 is normally maintained in engagement with the fountain roll I6I by the action of a spring impelled rod member indicated at I61, which is adapted to exert a tension against a lever I68, secured to the rock shaft I66. An arm I 69 is secured to the shaft I66, which arm is connected with one arm of a bell crank IN by means of a 7 link I12. Said bell crank is rotatably mounted on a stud I13, secured within one wall 2I, and has a cam plate I14 secured to the other arm thereof,

which has a cam edge projecting directly into the path of the Geneva disc actuating rollers 2121. The cam edge on the cam plate I14 is adapted to be engaged twice during each revolution of the main drive shaft 22, which will thus rock the rock shaft I66 and swing the transfer roller twice to an adhesive applying position during this period. I

Referring to Figures 1 and 12, a driving mechanism is there shown which provides the drive for the aforementioned cutter shaft I45, unwinding roller shaft I36 and fountain roller shaft I62. Said driving mechanism includes a main sprocket I15 secured to the main drive shaft 22, which sprocket is adapted to drive another smaller sprocket I16, by means of a chain I11. The driven sprocket I16 is rotatably mounted on a stud shaft I18, secured within one side wall 2|, and has a gear I19 secured thereto, so that both the sprocket and gear will be driven together. Said gear I19 meshes directly with the cutter shaft gear I 46 and with an idler gear I 8| and said idler gear meshes with the unwinding roller gear I39 and the fountain roller gear I63, to thus provide the desired drive. The idler gear I8I is rotatably mounted on a stud I82, secured within one side wall 2I.

From the foregoing description regarding the feeding and cutting of the banding material and adhesive applying means and from the illustration of same, as shown in Figure 12, it will be seen that after the banding material passes over the unwinding roller I38, it is guided downward in a substantially vertical direction into the. path of an approaching pack and is cut by the rotary cutter member I44, just as the approaching pack engages said banding material. Two positions of the pack and handing strip are shown in Figure 12 to represent the action which takes place when the package and strip are advanced to the receiving clip while said clip is in its upper position on the block I49. One of said positions illustrates the condition just as a pack is being advanced against the strip toward the. clip while the other position illustrates the condition after the pack is advanced within the clip, the strip of banding material having been drawn therewith, around the front edge of the pack and covering the bottom and the greater part of the top of the pack. One free end of the strip is shown lying over the extended end I57 of the strap I56.

The adhesive. transfer roll is also shown in two positions, one in its normal position in engagement with the fountain roll in full lines and the other in an adhesive applying position against the upper lap of the banding strip, in dotted lines.

Following the banding operation further in Figure 12, the pack is also shown in its discharge position on the lower surface of the block, where.- in the free end of the band is now shown as having covered the other end of the pack and said pack is now in a position to be ejected from the clip. Further along the pack is shown again after its ejection and the free end of the banding strip is shown as having been brought into engagement with the remaining uncovered portion of the pack and with the adhesive end of the strip.

In this same connection, reference is also made to Figure 10 in which the pusher bars I09 are shown in an advancing position wherein the finger III is shown as having advanced the one pack forward, the finger 2 as having advanced another pack to the clip and the ejector finger H3 on the offset portion of the bar as having ejected a pack from a clip on the lower surface of the block I49.

Referring further to Figure 10, also Figure 9, and particularly to the pack receiving guides or final band sealing members, the said guides comprise an upper strap I93 suitably suspended from cross bars I 84 mounted between the side walls 2 I2I and a lower strap I85 similarly supported.

After advancing a predetermined distance through said guide straps I83 and I85, the packs meet an open end which is provided by the down turned portions I86 and I8? of the upper and lower guide straps respectively, whereupon they are released and are permitted to engage the surface of a descending elevator platform or the surface of a pack or packs which had been previously released and deposited thereon.

In order to bring the pack receiving clips into proper alignment with the path of travel of an approaching pack on the tracks I08 and with the guides l83-I83 in the pack discharging position, means is provided to lock the block supporting shaft I5! when the desired clip aligning positions are reached and to release said look when the shaft I51 is to be rotated. Said means includes a disc I9I secured to the block supporting shaft l5! which disc has two oppositely disposed slots I92I92 in the periphery thereof. One arm of a bell crank I93, mounted on a stud I94 in the side wall 2|, is connected to one arm of a bell crank 19%": by means of a link I90, Figure 2, said bell crank being mounted on a stud I91, also secured to the side wall 2|. A cam plate I98, secured to the other arm of the bell crank 595, is adapted to be engaged and rocked by one of the Geneva actuating rollers 21-21 on the arms 29-28, the action of which will rock the bell cranks I95 and I93. A roller I96, mounted on one arm of the bell crank I93, is adapted to be forced into engagement with one of the slots I92 in the disc I9I, after said disc is rotated, by means of a spring biased connection indicated at 20I which cooperates with the bell crank I93.

The action of the disc locking mechanism is such that the spring biased connection is normally active to force the roller I 96 against the periphery of the disc I9I or into a slot I92 to lock the disc I5 and shaft in a fixed position while the pusher bar I09 is advancing a pack into a clip in a receiving position and ejecting a pack from the clip which is in the discharge position. At the end of the advancing stroke of the pusher I09, the roller 27 will engage the cam plate I98 to rock the bell cranks I93I95 and momentarily release the roller I96 from a slot I92, after which the said roller I96 will again be forced against the periphery of the disc I9I to be ready to engage an approaching slot I92 and again lock said disc.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a banding machine, means for receiving packs of cut products in side by side relation, means for rearranging said packs in relatively leading and following relation, and means for applying and securing a band to each of said packs.

2. In a banding machine, means for receiving one row of packs of cut products in a side by side relation, banding mechanism, means for advancing said packs toward the banding mechanism and rearranging same while advancing into two rows in a leading and following relation, and other means for further advancing said packs to the banding mechanism.

3. In a banding machine, means for receiving one transverse row of packs of out products in a side by side relation, banding mechanism, means for advancing and depositing said packs at a position intermediate the banding mechanism at the receiving position and rearranging same into two transverse rows one row following the other, and other means to advance same from the deposited position to the banding mechanism.

4. In a banding machine, means for receiving packs of cut products in a side by side relation, banding mechanism arranged to provide a band for one-half the number of packs in the receiving position, means for advancing said packs and arranging same into two rows, a leading row and a following row, and other means to advance each of said rows to the banding mechanism.

5; In a banding mechanism, gripper members for receiving one transverse row of packs of cut products in a side by side relation, means to advance said gripper members and arrange same While advancing into two rows in a leading and following relation, other means to change the position of .the packs to bring the packs of one row substantially into alignment with the packs of the other rows, and means to apply a band to each of said packs and secure same.

6. In a banding machine, gripper members arranged substantially in alignment, each adapted to' receive one transverse row of packs of cut products. in a sideby side relation, two transversely disposed supporting members each adapted to support an equal number of said gripper members, means to advance said supporting members simultaneously at different speeds, to thereby separate the gripper members into two transverse rows, means for actuating each gripper member to move the packs into substantial longitudinal alignment, and means to apply a band to each of said packs and secure same.

'7. In a banding machine, gripper members arranged in substantial alignment each adapted to receive a pack of cut products arranged in side by side relation, two gripper supporting members each adapted to support an equal number of said gripper members, means to advance said supporting members a predetermined distance at difierent speeds to thereby separate the gripper members intotwo transverse rows, means for actuating said gripper members to move the packs into substantial longitudinal alignment, other means to further advance said packs at the completion of the forward movement of the gripper supports, and means cooperating with said latter advancing movement to apply a band to each of the packs and secure same.

8. In a banding machine, gripper members each adapted to receive a pack of out products arranged in side by side relation, said gripper members comprising vertically disposed members having yieldable gripper pads mounted thereon, two gripper supporting members each adapted to support a number of alternately arranged gripper members in substantial alignment, means to advance each of said gripper supporting members simultaneously at different speeds to. thereby cause one row of alternate gripper members to advance further than the other row and. provide two separate rows of packs in transverse alignment, means to partially rotate the vertically disposed members about their vertical axes to move the. packs into substantially longitudinal alignment, means for further advancing the rows of packs, and means cooperating with said latter advancing means to apply and secure a band to each of the packs.

9. Ina banding machine, gripper members each adapted to receive a pack of cut products arranged in side by side relation, said gripper members comprising vertically disposed members having yieldable pressure pads mounted thereon, means for simultaneously controlling the .-yieldable pressure of all of said pads, two gripper supporting members each adapted to support a number of alternately arranged gripper members in substantial alignment, a rocker arm mounted on each gripper member, bars connecting alternate rocker arms, means. to advance each of said gripper supporting members simultane ously at different speeds to thereby cause one row of alternate gripper members to advance further than the other row and provide two separate rows of packs in transverse alignment, means to move said bars and rock said rockerarms to thereby move the packs into substantially longitudinal alignment, means forfurther advancing the rows of packs, and means cooperating with said latter advancing means to apply and secure a band to each of the packs.

10. In a banding machine, gripper members arranged in a single row transversely of the machines, each adapted to receive a pack of cut products arranged in side by side relation, means to move certain of said grippers in a row away from the row of remaining grippers while maintaining the grippers and packs of each row in transverse alignment, means for further moving each gripper to rearrange the packs in substantially longitudinal alignment and to deposit same in such relation, pusher members adapted to further advance said rows of packs, and means cooperating with said pusher members to apply and secure a band to each of the packs.

11. In a banding machine, gripper members arranged in a single row transversely of the machine, each adapted to receive a pack of cut products arranged in side by side relation, means to move alternate grippers in a row away from the row of remaining grippers while maintaining the grippers and packs of each row in transverse alignment, means for further moving each gripper to rearrange the packs in substantially longitudinal alignment and to deposit same in such relation, pusher members, means to reciprocate said pusher members longitudinally to advance said rows of packs intermittently, and means cooperating with said pusher members to apply and secure a band to each of the packs.

12. In a banding machine, gripper members arranged in a single row transversely of the machine, each adapted to-receive a pack of cut products arranged in side by side relation, means to move alternate grippers in a. row away from the row of remaining grippers while maintaining the grippers and packs of each row in transverse alignment, means for further moving each gripper to swing each row of packs into an end to end relation and then in substantially longitudinal alignment, means to release said grippers from the packs after reaching the latter position, reciprocating pusher members adapted to advance said rows of packs on their forward stroke and pass below said packs on their return stroke, and means cooperating with said pusher members to apply and secure a band to each of the packs.

13. In a post card pack banding machine, means for forwarding: a plurality of packs of post cards arranged side by side including grippers arranged in a row transversely of the machine and adapted to grip the ends of the packs, means for simultaneously moving alternate grippers 1ongitudinally of the machine at different speeds, whereby the packs are moved in two separate rows. with one row advancing faster than the other, and means for rotating the grippers while moving to change. the packs to an end to end position.

14..In a banding machine, a. rotatable block member adapted. toreceive packs of cut products and banding material, pack receiving clips arranged thereon in a pack receiving and a pack discharging position, common means for simultaneously moving a pack into a clip in a receiving position-and ejecting a pack from a clip in a discharge position, means for actuating said pack moving and ejecting means, means for presenting a strip of banding material between the pack and receiving clip, whereby said pack is partially wrapped upon entering the clip, means for partially rotating the block after receiving a pack to move the pack to a discharge position, and guide means to guide and complete the wrapping of the pack when ejected from the clip.

15. In a banding machine, a rotatable block member adapted to receive packs of cut products and banding material, pack receiving clips ar-' ranged thereon in a pack receiving and a pack discharging position, a pack supporting track in alignment with a clip when in a receiving position, a guide in alignment with a clip when in a discharge position, a reciprocating pusher member adapted to simultaneously move one pack into a clip in a receiving position and eject another pack from a clip in a discharge position, means for presenting a strip of banding material between the pack and receiving clip whereby said pack is partially wrapped upon entering the clip, an adhesive applying member adapted to apply adhesive to the upper surface of one end of the strip while in the receiving clip, means for par tially rotating the block after receiving a pack to move the pack to a discharge position, and guide means adapted to complete the wrapping of the pack and secure the other end of the strip upon the adhesive end after the pack is ejected from the clip.

16. In a banding machine, a rotatable block member adapted to receive packs of cut products and banding material, pack receiving clips arranged thereon in a pack receiving and a pack discharging position, feed rollers and cutting members for feeding, cutting and presenting a strip of banding material between the pack and receiving clip, a reciprocating pusher member having a pusher finger thereon to engage and advance a pack and a portion of the banding strip into the receiving clip, means for partially rotating the block after receiving a pack, to move the pack to a discharge position, another pusher finger on said pusher member toeject the pack from the clip when in a discharge position, and guide means to complete the wrapping of the pack when ejected from the clip.

17. In a banding machine, a rotatable block member adapted to receive packs of cut products and banding material, two pack receiving clips arranged thereon on opposite sides of the block in a pack receiving and a pack discharging position, a pack supporting track in alignment with a clip when in a receiving position, a guide in alignment with a clip when in a discharge position, a reciprocating pusher member adapted to simultaneously move one pack into a clip in a receiving position and eject another pack from a clip in a discharge position, driven feed rollers located above and ahead of said rotatable block for presenting a strip of banding material between the pack and clip whereby said pack is partially wrapped upon entering the clip, a reciprocating adhesive applying roller adapted to apply adhesive to the upper surface of one end of the strip while in the receiving clip, means for partially rotating the block after receiving a pack to move the pack to a discharge position and further wrap same, and guide means adapted to complete the wrapping of the pack and secure the other end of the strip upon the adhesive end after the pack is ejected from the clip.

18. In a banding machine, a plurality of banding members each including banding strip feeding rollers and means to guide said strip in a substantially vertical direction, rotary cutters to cut said banding strips to the desired length, a rotatable block adapted to receive packs of cut products and having pack receiving clips on opposite sides thereof, tracks in alignment with one of said receiving clips, means to forward the packs to said receiving clips including gripper members adapted to move packs from a receiving position to said tracks and a reciprocating pusher member adapted to advance said packs along the tracks to engage a banding strip and move said strip with the pack into a block receiving clip, and partially wrap said packs, means to rotate said block to further wrap said pack and move the pack to a discharge position, a guide in alignment with the latter position of said pack, and means on said pusher member to move said pack from the clip to the guide to complete the wrapping of same.

19. In a banding machine, the combination of means for receiving a pack of products disposed horizontally, means to turn the pack about a vertical axis, means to feed the pack in a horizontal plane, means to receive and carry the pack about a horizontal axis into another horizontal plane, and means to remove the pack from said receiving means and to move it away therefrom in a horizontal plane.

20. In a banding machine, the combination of means for receiving a pack of products disposed in a horizontal plane, means to turn the pack of products about a vertical axis, and means to apply a band about the pack.

21. In a banding machine, a horizontally disposed track for supporting flatwise a pack of products to be banded, a rotatable carrier having a clip thereon to receive a pack from said track, a pack receiving guide, means to rotate said carrier to carry a pack from said track to said guide, a reciprocable member to simultaneously engage a pack on said track and a pack in a clip on said carrier to move the former into a clip on said carrier and the latter from a clip on said carrier into said guide, and means to reciprocate said member in one direction in one plane,

and in the other direction in another plane parallel to the first.

22. In a banding machine, a rotatable carrier having a clip thereon to receive a pack of products having a band Wrapped over its upper and lower surfaces and about one edge, an adhesive applicator adapted to engage and apply adhesive to one end of the band upon one of the surfaces of the pack while the pack is disposed in said clip, means to rotate said carrier to reverse the surfaces of the pack, and means to remove the pack from said clip and to fold the other end of said band about the other edge of the pack and upon the band end having adhesive thereon.

23. In a banding machine, a rotatable carrier having a holder to receive a pack of products, means to move a pack of products against a strip of handing material and with the latter into said holder to wrap the material about the pack with one end thereof upon a surface of the pack and the other end free, an adhesive applicator adapted to engage and apply adhesive to the end of said material disposed on the pack in said holder, means to rotate said carrier to reverse the pack, and means to remove the pack from said holder and move it into a guideto wrap the free end of the material about the pack and dispose it upon the end: having adhesive thereon. 24. In. a banding machine. for products in packs, means to move a pack of. products against a strip of banding material, a pack holder to receive the pack of products and to wrap the band ing material about one edge and two sides of the pack as the. same are received therein, means. to 10 apply adhesive to one end of the. strip of material on one side of the pack while it is in said holder, means to turn said holder to reverse the position of the pack, and means to move said reversed pack out of said; holder and: into a. pack guiding means, said pack guiding means being arranged to complete the wrapping of the material about the pack and to press the other end of the same upon the end having adhesive thereon.

25-. In a machine for wrapping a band about a pack of products, a rotatable pack carrying member adapted to receive a pack from a position in one plane with an end of the. band material exposed on one surface of the pack, an adhesive applying member adapted to engage the: exposed end of the band material while the pack is so disposed in said pack carrying. member, means to actuate said pack carrying member to turn the pack over into a. position in. another plane parallel tov the first, means to receive the pack from said carrying member and to wrap the other end of the band material about the pack and dispose it upon the end having the adhesive thereon, and common means to move the pack into said carrying member in its first position and to move the pack out of said carrying member in its other position and. into said wrapping and receiving means.

26. In a machine for wrapping a band of material about a pack of products, means to move a pack of products in one direction against a strip of band material, means to'receive the pack and the strip of band material with one end of the band material disposed upon the upper side of the pack and a portionthereof wrapped. about an edge and the other side thereof, with the other end of the band material hanging freely therefrom upon. continuation of the movement of the pack by said pack moving means, and means to move" the pack receiving means in a series of directions, first, reverse to the direction of the aforesaid movement of the pack, then downw-ardlm. and then in the same direction, to turn the pack upside down with the side of the pack having. the end of the band thereon beneath the pack, said pack moving. means being operable to remove the pack from said pack receiving means and into a guide member to dispose the free end of the band material upon theother end thereof.

'27. Ina machine for wrapping a band of material about a pack of products, means to move a pack of products in one direction against a strip of bandv material, means to receive the pack and the strip of band material with one end of the band material disposed upon the upper side of the pack and a portion thereof wrapped about an edge and: the other side thereof, with the other end of the band: material hanging freely therefrom upon continuation of the movement of the pack by said pack moving means, means to apply adhesive to the. end of the band material on the upper side of the pack, and means to move the pack receiving means in a series of directions, first, reverse to the direction of the aforesaid movement of the pack, then downwardly, and then in the same direction, to turn the pack upside down with the side of the pack having the adhesive. covered end of the band thereon beneath. the pack, said pack moving means being operable to remove the pack from said pack receiving means and into a guide member to dispose. the free end of the band material upon the adhesive covered end thereof and to press the same together.

- WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

